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Philo cuts its most affordable TV streaming plan
The budget TV streaming service Philo announced it's eliminating its lower-cost subscription. Beginning May 6th, Philo will drop its $16-per-month plan, offering only a $20 monthly subscription. The move puts Philo on a growing list of streaming TV providers that have increased prices in the past few months.
The FCC can’t limit excessive inmate phone call rates
The FCC of 2015 pushed for limits to "excessive and egregious" rates for prison-based telephone calls. This was a progressive move to limit the ability states and private prisons to make money off of prisoners, who have no choice in choosing how much a phone call costs. When the new Trump administration took over, however, the FCC stopped defending its policy on caps. In what seems to be the final blow, an appeals court has ruled that the FCC cannot, in fact, cap rates for prisoner phone calls within states.
FCC stops defending caps on prison phone call rates
The Federal Communications Commission's new anti-regulation stance is now affecting prisons. BuzzFeed News reports that the FCC is no longer defending two key parts of its caps on prison phone call rates: limits on intrastate call rates and the methods used to determine those rates. Ultimately, it's expected to push for eliminating the caps altogether. While this doesn't end litigation from phone service providers attempting to overturn the caps (they're merely on hold, not scrapped), it finds the FCC supporting the very companies it was challenging just weeks earlier.
FCC introduces rules to prevent 5G price hike
The FCC is planning to regulate wholesale internet rates charged by cable companies, a move that could indirectly affect consumer wireless data prices. Such business internet services, called "special access," dictate what wireless carriers pay to supply data to cellular data networks. They also determine rates paid by business and government for services like ATMs, health networks and more. Tom Wheeler's commission already regulates special access for phone companies like AT&T, but now it wants control of cable operators' wholesale pricing, a move that has companies like Comcast up in arms (again).
FCC caps 'excessive and egregious' prison telephone rates
Who are the criminals in this story? The FCC has acted to reduce what it calls "excessive rates and egregious fees" of up to $14 per minute charged by federal and state prisons. The commission notes that while contact between inmates and families reduces recidivism, "high inmate calling rates have made that contact unaffordable for many families, who often live in poverty." It started the action after receiving a petition from Washington, DC grandmother Martha Wright, who requested relief from the "exorbitant" rates she paid to call her grandson in prison.
Klout adds Passbook support and perks
The social app Klout has updated its iPhone app, with a few surprising features. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Klout. It's gotten a little bit of a reputation for being spammy, and I think the way it rates influence is more or less meaningless. However, there's one feature of the new app that I think is very interesting, and that's Passbook integration. Yes, the Klout app will now show up in Passbook, and contains a "Klout card" that shows off the user's name, photo and Klout score. Klout says that showing this card to various people or businesses could have benefits down the road. Klout isn't an app that I would have expected to use Apple's Passbook feature. In the same way that we've seen apps make interesting uses of features such as in-app purchases and push notifications, it looks like some apps will use Passbook in ways that maybe weren't necessarily intended by Apple. We'll have to keep an eye out for more interesting Passbook-fueled ideas. Klout has also added support for the iPhone 5 and "perks," which are a feature of Klout's web service but are only just now showing up in the app. If you do want to make use of Klout and its features on your iPhone, the app is a free download. [via VentureBeat]
Virgin Media unveils quartet of new SIM Only plans for data-focused Brits
It was only in June that we saw Virgin Media shaking up its regular mobile plans for UK residents. The carrier is back for another round, this time to serve the SIM Only customers who thrive on unlocked phones. Four plans starting from £12 ($19) a month all provide unlimited data and text messaging for bring-your-own-phone subscribers, with voice as the only real separating factor: the thriftiest callers get 150 minutes per month, while higher £15, £17 and £25 ($24, $27 and $40) tiers ramp up to a respective 250, 1,200 and 2,500 minutes for chattier customers. The chief gotcha is a lack of bundled landline calling for all but the priciest plan, although existing Virgin Media subscribers can knock an extra £5 off of that rate. If you're the sort who can't bear the thought of a contract, Virgin now has you better covered.
Foxconn raises Chinese worker wages
Foxconn has been back in the news lately for an investigation, commenced by Apple's request, into its worker practices. Perhaps influenced by those actions (though perhaps not), Foxconn has raised some of its pay levels by 16 to 25 percent. Depending on the worker and the results of some testing, junior level workers could pick up as much as 2200 yuan, which translates to about $350 US, a month. That's still only about $4200 a year, but it's more than the minimum wage in China, and most factory workers are also given room, board, and training by the company, so there are other expenses that are already taken care of. This is the second time in as many years that Foxconn has raised wages like this: Back in 2010, the company raised its production line workers' wages as high as 30 percent. So in terms of monetary compensation, at least, things at the Foxconn plants are improving, if not actually good yet. It's unlikely that a wage raise like this will prevent ongoing protests against Apple and other companies that make use of this factory labor, but every bit of good news out of this situation is definitely excellent to hear.
T-Mobile's FlexPay plan to be eliminated as soon as December?
We've suspected for some time now that post AT&T-Mobile merger, Magenta's FlexPay plan would be on its way out sooner rather than later. The payment plan was originally discontinued for new customers back in July, but now it appears the company will completely phase out FlexPay as early as December -- forcing loyalists from the old regime to choose an alternate plan and clearing the way for postpaid and Monthly 4G alternatives. According to the leaked memo intercepted by TmoNews, customers who migrate to Postpaid plans will be able to keep the same rates, migrate without signing a contract or paying fees -- making the switch a little less painful. RIP FlexPay, you'll be missed.
Netflix officially separates DVD, streaming pricing; $15.98 and up for both
Netflix hasn't hinted at any upcoming plans to change the services it offers, but NewTeeVee spotted an unadvertised DVD-only plan on its site, and an anonymous tipster indicates that's just the start. The DVD.Netflix.com page offers unlimited DVDs by mail, per month (one at a time) for $7.99, which slots it between the standard DVD & streaming combo plans and a $4.99 offering that gives just two DVDs per month. According to our source Netflix is planning to change its pricing entirely by implementing a streaming only plan with no discs for $7.99 and changing the minimum pricetag for combined services to $15.98 -- up from the current $9.99 it has charged since November. They indicated the change would take place tomorrow night around 9 p.m., with customers notified by email and no plans to grandfather any of the old pricing setups along. With aggressive expansion plans and its costs to acquire content rising sharply, hiking the price by 50 percent on many of its 20 million+ subscribers could be the easiest way to make the numbers add up. Now, subscribers are left to determine exactly what Watch Instantly streaming (or DVD access) is worth to them. Update: Just that fast, Netflix has officially announced these changes to its pricing plans. Just like our information indicated, DVD only or streaming only unlimited plans are available for $7.99 each per month, or $15.98 together. Existing members can float on their current plans until September 1st but new members will see these rates effective immediately. According to a post on the official blog, the change replaces the DVD plan's existence as a $2 surcharge over streaming and from now on it will no longer unlimited discs and streaming as a single package. Two discs at a time will cost $11.99 by themselves now, but there's no mention of higher plans just yet. Fans of the plastic platter should be at least a bit encouraged however, as there's a new team devoted solely to that service -- here's hoping they can get the stagnant Blu-ray catalog refreshed. [Thanks, Anonymous]
More concerns over suicides at Foxconn
There was more bad news out of China this week -- manufacturer Foxconn (who makes quite a few parts for Apple devices) has been dealing with a rash of employee suicides, as low pay and long hours on the workers seems to be taking their toll. Yesterday, another worker reportedly tried to take his own life [Ed. note: original 9to5Mac link broken], and there are reports of more than 15 other attempts within the plant. Apple has responded, saying that they're working closely with the company to try and solve the issue. In order to do that, the company claims it's going to raise wages by 20%, although it's not clear yet when or how that plan will be implemented. It also says that some employees will be relocated closer to their homes -- about a fifth of the workforce will be moved to plants closer to their families. Apple isn't alone in helping Foxconn deal with the problem, either -- Sony, Nokia, Nintendo, Dell, and HP all get parts from these factories and are pressuring the company to do better. Finally, John Gruber points out that as bad as this Foxconn story is, it might not be all that remarkable, unfortunately. Even with the reported 13 suicides, Foxconn has over 800,000 workers, which means the company's suicide rate is below the national average in China, and China is number 26 on the worldwide list. But numbers and averages aside, a death is a death, and everything Foxconn can do to help their employees lead better lives should be worth it.
Rogers offering $20 for iPad add-on to existing iPhone customers?
The Apple Store for Canada is currently showing the above rates for iPad data plans, but before you get too excited, note a few things. First, Rogers' official iPad page does not yet show any rate plan information. Second, BoyGeniusReport updated their article on this to say that "Apple has removed all traces of the $20 plan from its website," but it is still available at the link shown. Rogers PR told BGR that the "the $20 plan was a mistake on Apple's part." If this is true (and that's a big "if" at this point), iPhone users in the USA are going to look longingly at Rogers again. Rogers earlier announced that tethering was going to continue to be free for many customers. And now it looks like they might offer some sort of a bundle deal for iPhone users? Hey, AT&T, are you listening? This is how you treat customers when you hope to keep them, not rest on your exclusivity for as long as possible. How about you get your act together and offer tethering at a reasonable price (Not that I would expect Verizon would treat iPhone customers any better.)? Many people will point to the "5GB per month" limitation of the Rogers plan as a step down from AT&T's unlimited $30/month iPad plan. That's true, but I doubt many people who pay for unlimited will use more than 5GB. UPDATE: I re-checked at 2:45pm and Apple's page no longer shows the $20, and Rogers' website now shows only the $15 and $35 options. Like AT&T, these plans do not require a contract, and come with free access to Rogers' Wi-Fi "Hot Spots." [Via Clever Simon]
DirecTV raises a new satellite & its prices
With the successful launch of DirecTV 12 yesterday the satellite company has already announced it will expand to more than 200 HD channels. Of course, by the time it starts operating in Q2 of 2010, viewers will already be paying off that launch in the form of increased rates. Multichannel News points out the email currently going out. highlighting increases from $3 to $5 for programming while DVR fees rise from $5.99 to an even $7 beginning February 9. At the same time subscribers will lose access to XM Satellite Radio channels in lieu of audio from SonicTap. Check out the rate increases for yourself (warning: PDF link) and tell us, are more channels and the prospect of a new DirecTiVo and 3D enough to keep you around?
Will AT&T introduce usage-based pricing?
Ralph de la Vega, AT&T head of consumer services, has hinted at usage-based pricing strategies in response to increased consumer data consumption, according to stories on the Huffington Post and Reuters newsfeed. De la Vega spoke at a recent USB investor conference, saying that AT&T was working on improving service to the strained New York and San Francisco services. AT&T may soon introduce pricing tiers that would penalize high-bandwidth users. Although none of these write-ups mentioned the iPhone, it has facilitated greater and greater network demands with its easy-to-use App Store software and fully-rendered Internet access. That access, using Mobile Safari's browser in particular, was a big selling point in early Apple iPhone commercials. Although App Store has historically limited high-bandwidth applications to Wi-Fi-only usage, AT&T has recently given the go-ahead to allow Voice-over-IP apps like Skype to use their 3G network. A tiered pricing system for greater usage might help offset increased demand but would need to be backed by an enhanced network infrastructure, which AT&T appears to be building. The 2-year contracts for the new 3GS iPhones introduced this summer will begin to expire in the 2nd quarter of 2011. TUAW has contacted AT&T's PR department to request a statement about possible pricing tiers and usage choking but did not hear back by the time this post went live.
Will mobile carriers charge different rates for data during peak / off-peak times?
Yes friends, your worst nightmare could indeed come true. With companies looking for every last way to nickle and dime their few remaining loyal customers, it's now being suggested that mobile operators could start charging different rates for mobile data depending on the time of day. And, let's face it, it makes total sense in a sick, sadistic way. Reportedly, carriers will soon start having a tough time keeping up with all the data-using cellphone and laptop owners, with the latter crew obviously causing the greatest strain on existing networks. A mocoNews report suggests three main ways of dealing with the uptick in demand: 1) keep building out the network and burning cash, 2) using new technology (read: LTE) with more capacity or 3) create rate plans that discourage usage during peak times. We've always heard that history repeats itself, but we'd be just fine with never hearing the words "peak time" ever again.
Atlantic Broadband to lower cable rates, add HD channels
Be still our hearts! When practically every other cable operator out there is hiking rates up, Atlantic Broadband is bringing them down. In an admittedly shocking move, the small carrier has announced its plans to knock around $8 per month off of bills received by HD customers. Miraculously, it will also be adding three new HD channels -- History HD, FOX News HD and Science HD -- bringing the grand total to nearly 40 high-def channels. Of note, the pricing changes could leave a small amount of customers paying more, but the company has expressed its intentions to call those select few in an attempt to get them on a more cost efficient plan. Care to spread your services elsewhere, Atlantic?
Insight Communications to raise cable rates in January
We already counted four major cable providers who either already have or soon will increase their rates in one aspect or another, and now you can make it an even five. Insight Communications will be hiking rates for many customers by around $3 per month come January, and while it would be easy to link said increases to the recent Digital 4.0 update, spokeswoman Sandy Colony says it's actually just due to "higher programming costs from various channels." Of note, those who subscribe solely to basic cable won't see a change, but anyone utilizing the "classic cable service" will be asked to hand over three more bucks per month. Ah well, at least this increase is easier to swallow than most -- having a full plate of HD to chew on for the next 12 months makes the pill go down that much smoother.
Comcast blows off FCC inquisition, could face fines
Tsk, tsk. It seems that Comcast has all the time in the world to investigate just how high it should push cable rates, but not a moment to really sit down and answer questions from the FCC. Okay, so maybe that's a touch harsh, but it's really not far from the truth. It's stated that Comcast provided an "inadequate response" to a recent FCC request for "information on cable company policies as they switch to digital signals." As you could likely guess, Comcast isn't the only guilty party, but chairman Kevin Martin did pick on Comcast's "narrative" of a reply. Comcast alleges that fully completing the request would've required 1,500 man hours, and while we don't doubt the legitimacy of such a claim, we'd still probably think twice before pushing back a half-hearted response to the almighty Federal Communications Commission.[Image courtesy of JournalGroup]
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FCC expresses concern over widespread cable price hikes
You know those cable price hikes that have been going around lately? Looks like you're not the only one who's a tad upset about it. The Federal Communications Commission has actually come forward to express its concern from the rampant outbreak of cable pay-TV increases, with spokeswoman Mary Diamond proclaiming that "over the last decade, average cable rates have more than doubled, and now cable companies are charging consumers more but consumers are receiving less." Of course, it's not like the almighty FCC is going to step in and pony up for the delta or anything philanthropic like that, but it is good to see The Man standing up for the children. Even if it's just empty words in the end.[Via Columbia Tribune, image courtesy of YouthRetirement]
Make it four: Cablevision also increasing rates in 2009
You know it how it goes -- come one, come all. As the price hike bandwagon continues to grow, we now have Cablevision joining the likes of Comcast, Charter and Mediacom, who are all raising at least some of their prices on cable. Reportedly, Cablevision will be escalating prices by around 3.5% on average in 2009, and while spokesman Jim Maiella points out that said rate is "below the current rate of inflation," we can't imagine that making everything alright in the eyes of customers. Of note, the outfit's triple-play promotion (TV, high-speed internet and digital phone) will remain pegged at $90 per month, and the carrier is asserting that the rate hikes are going to fund its Wi-Fi initiative and VOD enhancements. Makes you feel all better inside, doesn't it?
